It's the First Day of School

I can't believe the summer is over already. I also can't believe that my middle child, Henry, is starting Kindergarten today. Ahh! Time is moving too quickly! To quote my dad, "Years go quick, some days move real slow." But for me, back to school doesn't mean I drop my kids off somewhere or wave goodbye to them. Nope, they're still here at home, it just means our schedule changes. A lot.

We virtual school with Kansas Connections Academy. (In case anyone wonders, we are not getting a dime from KCA for any of this. I doubt they know about this blog at all.) We started schooling with KCA when Alice was entering Kindergarten and today she starts 4th grade. Virtual school is home-based schooling but it isn't homeschooling.

What's the difference between virtual and homeschool? Well, there are many. First of all, KCA is an accredited public school in the state of Kansas (Connections Academy has public schools in many states). We do not pay for any part of her education other than school supplies and internet. Every year they send us a box of books and supplies (art supplies, yoga CD, a few other items). When homeschooling you are responsible for all supplies and equipment yourself.

Also, with KCA, both of my kiddos have teachers who they meet with online and via phone who have planned a curriculum that we follow. What's my role? I'm the Learning Coach, which is similar to a Para Educator's role. I help the kids when they need help (especially in the lower grades), I take attendance, I talk with their teachers when something comes up.

Why did we choose virtual school? That's sometimes hard to explain. Hmm...partially because we like the flexibility, kids or mom sick? We can take the day off and make up the work over the weekend. Alice have a late night due to ballet? She can sleep in and do her work later in the day. No pressure as long as it gets done before the end of the semester. Rosh Hashanah fall on a Tuesday? No worries, we can reschedule anything, including tests. Other reasons, lack of bullying, less peer pressure, ability in later grades to test into higher classes easier, ability in later grades to get double credit (college credit) for classes. Oh, so many reasons.

But for now, I get to learn to balance my 4th grader, my brand new Kindergartner (kindergarten is 80% offline), and my now running 1 year old. Wish me luck!

#Kids #DailyLife #VirtualSchool #KCA